Brainstorming for Stories: How to Turn Sparks into Worlds
Brainstorming is one of the most magical—and challenging—parts of being a writer. Ideas may arrive in a rush or drip in slowly, but either way, they form the first threads of story. The truth? Waiting for inspiration won’t always serve you. Instead, the key is to explore how to spark fresh ideas from familiar tropes, surprising “what ifs,” and creative collisions. Originality doesn’t mean inventing something brand new—it means putting your unique spin on timeless patterns so readers experience them as both familiar and exciting.
The Importance of Your “Why”
by Chad Grayson [This week author Chad Grayson shares wisdom of the importance of knowing Your WHY] Recently, someone asked a question on social media that made me think about my answer. The exact phrasing of the question is unimportant, but it went something like this: Given that I am not making enough money at […]
Strategic Authoring: Plan Like a Pro, Write Like a Rebel (Part 1)
What if I told you that you could finish your book faster, reduce rewrites, and keep your creative fire lit—all without smothering your artistic soul? Welcome to the art of strategic authoring. This isn’t about locking yourself into rigid outlines or spreadsheets. It’s about writing with intention while leaving room for rebellion. It’s about thinking […]
Plot Twists: Crafting the Unexpected in Fiction
There’s a special thrill when a plot twist lands just right—that electric moment where everything clicks into place and the reader’s jaw drops. As authors, we live for those moments. Whether you write fantasy, thrillers, or anything in between, a well-executed twist can elevate your story from compelling to unforgettable. But behind every shocking reveal […]
What a Trip! Your Story Roadmap
By Ali Cross Imagine you’re about to take the road trip of a lifetime. With the snacks packed, the playlist queued, and the tank filled, there’s just one thing left: a destination. Sure, some folks are free-spirited enough to hop in the car, hit the gas, and trust the universe will provide, but if you’re […]
Turning Points & Plot Goals
If you’ve been in the writing community for a while, you may have heard of plot turns, turning points, and plot points. Believe it or not, these are actually three different terms for the same thing. Yup. Three terms. One concept. And as you may have guessed, they are moments that change the direction of […]
Understanding the Heart of Negative Character Arcs
Negative characters arcs are about more than a character being “bad.” Learn what’s at the heart of negative arcs, and answer some questions to help you write one for your character. The 4 Basic Character Arcs A “character arc” is how a character grows in a story. While this term gets used broadly in the […]
What Happens When Characters Lose Control of Their Emotions?
When characters become volatile, it doesn’t matter if they have a good reason or not, only the mistakes and missteps that often follow.
How to Write a Novel: A 16-Step Guide
How to write a novel, from beginning to end in 16 steps. Brainstorm, develop a great character, create an antagonist, and more.
Steadfast Stories: Characters without Change Arcs
In a positive steadfast arc, the character holds true to who he was in the beginning. Often when we think of characters arcs, we think of characters changing for the better: Scrooge giving up his miserly ways to show charity toward his follow men, Luke Skywalker choosing to trust in faith (the Force) to successfully […]